‘The manager does not play’ – Fabregas defends Lampard amid Chelsea pressure

Cesc Fabregas has defended under pressure Frank Lampard and asked the Chelsea players to look into the mirror.

Chelsea suffered a sixth consecutive defeat – against Arsenal - under the former Everton manager, and Fabregas, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea, said the manager is always not to blame when the club underperforms.

"We used to have a coach when we were little, and it was like we had 11 olives - you throw them on the table, and that's the tactic you're looking at," Fabregas told Sky Sports.

"I couldn't believe the tactical and technical mistakes we were seeing from Chelsea players [against Arsenal]. You have to look into the mirror and ask yourself questions.

"Nowadays, the easy excuse is to look at the manager. The manager doesn't play. It's 11 players who need to show up.

"You train during the week to show heart and show ambition to win, like Arsenal did. Chelsea didn't do that."

To end the poor run, the Spaniard, who also featured for Arsenal, asked the Chelsea hierarchy to pick the right manager when they complete the shortlisting process.

He recalled their 2015/16 season, when Guus Hiddink replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis before Antonio Conte was appointed ahead of the new season. Conte went on to win the league with the Blues.

"Six years ago, we had a really bad season with Chelsea," said Fabregas. "We finished tenth. Mourinho left, Hiddink came, and he started to play younger players to give them experience.

"In April, they signed Conte, who came to the training ground, spoke to us individually to start fresh for a new season.

"We won the Premier League. It's not impossible. I was there. I lived it. If you bring someone in with experience and character, who can give clear ideas, it's doable."

The loss at the Emirates left Chelsea in 12th place and just nine points above the relegation zone.